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Taxi Drivers and Taxidars: A Case Study of Uber and Ola in Delhi

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  • Rina Kashyap

    (Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, & Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) Centre for Peace, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi)

  • Anjali Bhatia

    (Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi)

Abstract

This article examines the role of the sharing economy in India’s development through the examples of aggregated taxis such as Uber and Ola in Delhi. 1 Based on a general survey of Uber and Ola drivers and users in Delhi, we argue that Uber and Ola do not measure up to their expected potential in the development of India’s economy on the parameters of ecological sustainability, employment through renting out assets and reduction in the need to own assets. Yet, Uber and Ola are notable for the creation of viable employment opportunities for drivers, and their many benefits for urban middle class users. Unique to the Uber and Ola phenomenon in India is the interception of driver opportunities by taxidars (taxi-owners). This tweaked Uber model for the Indian market allows the middle class individual—the police official, bureaucrat, property dealer, transporter or a professional—an entry into the aggregated taxi market.

Suggested Citation

  • Rina Kashyap & Anjali Bhatia, 2018. "Taxi Drivers and Taxidars: A Case Study of Uber and Ola in Delhi," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 34(2), pages 169-194, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:34:y:2018:i:2:p:169-194
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X18757144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harvey, David, 2007. "A Brief History of Neoliberalism," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199283279.
    2. Lansley, Stewart, 2016. "A Sharing Economy," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9781447331438, Febrero.
    3. Shirgaokar, Manish, 2012. "The Rapid Rise of Middle-Class Vehicle Ownership in Mumbai," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt936337w5, University of California Transportation Center.
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